Shrewsbury back early with a plan to cut deficit in West Midlands Premier hockey league
Shrewsbury will be looking to cut the gap on West Midlands Premier league leaders Old Silhillians when they return to action ahead of schedule on Saturday.
While most of the division has another week off, Nick Price's side host Warwick University in their first game of 2014. They stand seven points adrift of the table-toppers, who are still undefeated this season.
The club are desperate to climb back into the Midlands League they were a part of in years gone past and lead the chasing pack waiting for Shils to slip up.
Player-chairman Simon Taylor said: "We have had a very strong start to the season and are looking to continue that with a strong second half of the campaign.
"We take each game as it comes, but we know what is out there and that we can beat most teams.
"There's no reason why we can't look to pull ourselves out of this league and compete at a higher level.
"The club has been there and, I personally believe, deserves to be there again."
Taylor still trains with the first-team and plays in games whenever his job at a private school allows, usually as a striker.
He said: "I play for the team when I can, too, so I am hoping to bag a few more this season."
A 5-3 defeat at home to the league pace-setters in the penultimate game before the Christmas break opened up a gap at the top.
Shrewsbury were then held 2-2 in the reverse fixture at Warwick University, so be looking to get one over on the students at the first time of asking.
